13 Medical Programs for High School Students in New Mexico
- Stephen Turban
- Feb 22
- 9 min read
If you are a high school student, academic programs are a good way to gain exposure to college-level coursework, professional environments, and skill-building. These experiences often combine academic rigor with mentorship, practical learning, and networking opportunities, allowing students to explore potential career paths in a structured, accessible way. If you are interested in healthcare, this early exposure can help you make more informed, intentional decisions about your academic and career path.
What medical programs are available for high schoolers in New Mexico?
New Mexico offers a range of structured pathways designed to support students interested in medicine and health careers. Opportunities include university-based research internships, health-care pipeline programs, and volunteer experiences in hospital settings, accessible to New Mexico students. Many of these programs emphasize mentorship, exposure to healthcare professionals, and practical insight into medical careers rather than surface-level observation.
Below is a curated list of 13 medical programs for high school students in New Mexico.
If you are looking for free online research opportunities, check out our blog here.
Location: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Stipend: Stipend awarded to participants
Program Dates: June 15–24
Application Deadline: December 31
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors | New Mexico residents with a valid SSN or ITIN | Demonstrated leadership | Interest in pursuing a health career that addresses inequities in communities of color
The PATH Emerging Scholars Program is a one-week, campus-based experience at the University of New Mexico designed for students who want to explore healthcare and research through a strong equity and community-focused lens. During the program, you’ll examine major social determinants of health, analyze current health issues from interdisciplinary perspectives, and better understand gaps in health equity across clinical and non-clinical sectors. The program includes sessions on college preparation and leadership development to help students consider future health careers with an equity-driven focus. A stipend is provided upon completion of the full program.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies based on the program | Full financial aid available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts offered throughout the year | Program duration ranges from 12 weeks to one year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program’s Medical Track conducts an independent medical or health-focused research project through one-on-one mentorship with a researcher from a top university. You’ll work closely with a PhD-level mentor to develop a research question, conduct literature-based analysis, and produce a formal research paper. You’ll begin by aligning with your mentor on a medical or health-related topic, then refine a research question, write and revise your paper with personalized guidance, and submit your final work for evaluation. You can explore topics across medicine and clinical science, including neuroscience, disease mechanisms, healthcare innovation, and biomedical research questions. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque, NM
Stipend: Paid internship
Program Dates: 8–10 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Varies annually
Eligibility: High school students age 16 or older | strong academic standing | demonstrated interest in science | U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or lawful permanent resident.
The CURE Program for Students is a paid summer research program that allows you to take part in ongoing cancer research at the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center. You begin with a one-week introductory course on cancer, then move into hands-on research in community, public, or environmental health. Throughout the program, you’ll work closely with UNM faculty, near-peer mentors, and research teams. Your research may involve topics such as cancer risk from environmental exposure, cancer screening in Indigenous communities, breast and ovarian cancer, or genomic and data analysis for personalized cancer therapies. The program concludes with a final project in which you share what you’ve learned through a presentation or creative format, reinforcing both your research experience and your community impact.
Location: Online
Cost: Varies depending on program type | Full financial aid available
Program Dates: Vary by cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November) | You can apply to the program here
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–12 with prior coding experience or completion of AI Scholars
The Veritas AI + Medicine Deep Dive introduces you to how artificial intelligence is applied within healthcare and medical research. You’ll engage with topics such as medical imaging, genomics, diagnostics, neuroscience, and drug discovery through structured lectures and applied projects. Throughout the program, students work with real datasets to understand how machine learning models are developed and evaluated in medical contexts. Group-based technical work reinforces concepts such as disease prediction and image classification. Prior experience with coding or introductory AI concepts is required to fully engage with the coursework. Here is the program brochure and the application form.
Location: University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque; UNM Health Sciences Rio Rancho Campus, Rio Rancho; Santa Fe Indian School, Santa Fe; Taos; and regional sites across Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest New Mexico
Cost: Free to participants | Stipend awarded upon completion
Program Dates: Regional programs vary | Typical summer sessions run mid-June through late June (varies by location)
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors | New Mexico residents or Navajo Nation residents | minimum GPA of 2.5 | Interest in health careers
Health Careers Academy (HCA) is an intensive, multi-week summer enrichment program that helps New Mexico high school students strengthen core academic skills and explore careers in health and medicine. You complete rigorous coursework in math, science, language arts, and critical thinking that connects to real-world healthcare pathways. The curriculum also includes sessions on cultural humility, service-learning activities, and presentations on health professions to broaden your understanding of medical careers. HCA is offered in seven regions across New Mexico with in-person sessions tailored to local communities, promoting access and relevance for students statewide. The program focuses on preparing students for college, and many participants also receive a stipend upon completion.
Location: University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM
Cost: Not Specified
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students from under-resourced high schools in New Mexico
Students Exploring Careers in Health (SECiH) is a student-led outreach program run in collaboration with the UNM Health Sciences Center Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. The program is designed to give you direct exposure to the wide range of careers within healthcare. As part of the experience, selected groups of high school students spend a day on the UNM Health Sciences Center campus. During the visit, you’ll have the opportunity to talk directly with healthcare professionals and health professions students, tour the campus, and participate in interactive workshops. You’ll be exposed to multiple fields across healthcare, including medicine, occupational therapy, and population health, helping you leave with a clearer understanding of what different healthcare careers actually involve.
Location: Multiple partner schools across New Mexico
Cost: Not specified
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Check program partners for local deadlines
Eligibility: Middle and high school students in New Mexico | Priority given to first-generation, disadvantaged, or underrepresented students
Dream Makers Health Career Programs are community-focused career-exploration initiatives for middle and high school students throughout New Mexico. Organized by the UNM Health Sciences Center Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in partnership with local school districts, the program introduces students to a wide range of health professions through culturally responsive activities and experiential learning. You build academic skills in science, math, leadership, and cultural humility, and engage with healthcare professionals and medical students during workshops, presentations, and service-learning activities. Dream Makers places particular emphasis on supporting first-generation college students, students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and those underrepresented in health professions, helping them better understand pathways within healthcare.
Location: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Cost: Financial support available through Last Dollar Scholarship and institutional aid (individual funding varies)
Program Dates: Eight-year combined undergraduate + MD program
Application Deadline: First Thursday of November
Eligibility: High school seniors graduating from a New Mexico high school or from a tribal school within the state who demonstrate academic readiness, meet required test score benchmarks, and submit application materials, including recommendations and personal statements
This is an eight-year educational pathway that integrates undergraduate and medical school training to prepare students for careers as physicians serving New Mexico’s diverse populations, particularly in rural or medically underserved communities. This selective program admits a small cohort of high school seniors each year and guarantees admission to the UNM School of Medicine upon successful completion of undergraduate requirements. The curriculum combines rigorous pre-medical coursework with integrated seminars, such as Health, Medicine & Human Values, and community-based practica that give students real insight into the health issues affecting New Mexicans. Participants receive personalized academic advising, access to a living-learning community, and financial support through a Last Dollar Scholarship that helps cover education costs after other aid is applied.
Location: Santa Fe Indian School, Santa Fe, NM
Cost: Not specified
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by SFIS academic calendar
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 enrolled at Santa Fe Indian School
The SFIS/UNM Health Careers Program is a structured high school academic pathway created to prepare students for post-secondary health science careers. Started with support from the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, the program uses community-based learning to connect coursework with real health needs in New Mexico communities. You build foundational knowledge in science, health, and math while engaging with subjects such as medical ethics, terminology, and community health principles. A key feature of the program is its integration of dual-credit college coursework through Santa Fe Community College, allowing students to earn both high school and college credit. Certificate pathways include Nurse Aide Training and Community Health Worker Training, which equip participants for entry-level roles and eligibility for state certification.
Location: UNM Hospital, Albuquerque, NM | UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center, Rio Rancho, NM
Cost: Free (volunteer service)
Program Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Accepted year-round
Eligibility: Ages 16 or older
The UNM Health System Volunteer Program allows high school students to support patients and hospital staff while gaining in-person exposure to a real healthcare environment. As a volunteer, you’ll help improve the experience of patients who are navigating health challenges, while also learning how large medical centers operate on a day-to-day basis. This is a hands-on opportunity to observe patient interaction, hospital workflows, and community-focused care. Volunteering opportunities are available at both UNM Hospital and UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center, with roles commonly based in guest services. It’s a strong option if you want early exposure to healthcare settings, patient-facing environments, and the responsibilities that come with working in a hospital, all while contributing meaningfully to your local community.
Location: Online
Cost: $2,400 + $45 application fee | Financial aid is available
Program Dates: Session A: June 15–26 | Session B: July 6–17
Application Deadline: February 20 | Limited to approximately 50 students
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (14+) with solid math or computer programming skills, or those who have worked on a healthcare project
The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship is a two-week virtual program for high school students interested in the intersection of medicine, healthcare, and artificial intelligence. During the program, you’ll explore how AI is applied in clinical and healthcare settings through a mix of technical lectures, mentoring sessions, and hands-on group research projects focused on real-world healthcare challenges. You’ll work alongside Stanford student leads and researchers, participate in “Meet the Expert” sessions with professionals from academia, industry, and government, and collaborate with peers during structured working sessions. Students who complete the full program receive a Certificate of Completion.
Location: Online
Cost: $895 | Free for eligible students meeting income guidelines
Program Dates: March 7–May 2 (nine Saturday sessions)
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
The Health Science Immersion Program (HSIP) is an online, multi-session enrichment experience designed to introduce high school students to a broad range of health science careers and concepts. Through a series of lectures, discussions, and group projects, participants learn from university professors, graduate researchers, and healthcare professionals about academic and professional pathways in fields like medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, respiratory therapy, and health communications. A core component of the program is a small-group research project in which you collaboratively explore topics such as neuroscience, human anatomy, and cancer research while strengthening critical thinking and teamwork skills. Leadership workshops within HSIP help students connect academic experiences to future college and career goals. HSIP sessions are offered virtually over nine Saturdays, making the program accessible regardless of geographic location.
Location: Online
Cost: $1,725
Program Dates: June 8–19 | June 22–July 3
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students who have completed sophomore, junior, or senior year
The Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) is a two-week summer program offered by Stanford University for high school students interested in neuroscience, psychiatry, psychology, and behavioral sciences. Through live Zoom sessions, you’ll learn directly from Stanford faculty and researchers about clinical neuroscience topics, including mental health, neuropsychiatry, behavioral science, and the role of neuroscience in medicine and wellbeing. Each day includes interactive faculty talks, live Q&A discussions, and structured small-group work on a collaborative capstone project. You’ll work with a team to develop a creative solution to a mental health–related problem, applying critical thinking and research skills. CNV-X also incorporates discussions on social-emotional wellness, self-care, and professional pathways in medicine and science. Those who complete participation and the capstone project receive a Certificate of Completion from the Stanford Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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